Crossed Over with Fetish Photography Books:
Crossed Over is a term that has been used to describe the blurring of boundaries between different genres within photography since at least the early 20th century. In particular, photographers began experimenting with fetish photography books, which were collections of images documenting extreme sexual practices and fetishes from around the world. These books often contained explicit material that could not be shown in mainstream media outlets, but they also challenged traditional notions of what was considered appropriate for publication. One example is Taboo, a seminal collection of images published in 1968 by Helmut Newton and his partner June Newton. The book featured nude women dressed in exotic costumes and poses, along with close-ups of sexual acts such as fellatio. It caused an uproar when it was released, but went on to become one of the most influential photography books of all time.
Photographers featured in Taboo later released coffee-table books with similar aesthetics—carrying the visual language into the art world. For instance, Robert Mapplethorpe's XYZ Portraits featured men who identified as either transgender or intersex. His subjects posed provocatively and defiantly against stark backgrounds, wearing little more than underwear or body paint. Another example is Bruce Weber's Chromogenic Colour series, which showcased male models in various states of undress while engaged in activities like swimming or horseback riding. Both sets of photographs were highly controversial but helped establish new standards for contemporary art.
Crossed Over refers to the blurring of boundaries between different genres within photography since at least the early 20th century. Photographers began experimenting with fetish photography books, which were collections of images documenting extreme sexual practices and fetishes from around the world. These books often contained explicit material that could not be shown in mainstream media outlets, but they also challenged traditional notions of what was considered appropriate for publication. One example is Taboo, a seminal collection of images published in 1968 by Helmut Newton and his partner June Newton. The book featured nude women dressed in exotic costumes and poses, along with close-ups of sexual acts such as fellatio. It caused an uproar when it was released, but went on to become one of the most influential photography books of all time.
Photographers featured in Taboo later released coffee-table books with similar aesthetics—carrying the visual language into the art world. For instance, Robert Mapplethorpe's XYZ Portraits featured men who identified as either transgender or intersex. His subjects posed provocatively and defiantly against stark backgrounds, wearing little more than underwear or body paint. Another example is Bruce Weber's Chromogenic Colour series, which showcased male models in various states of undress while engaged in activities like swimming or horseback riding. Both sets of photographs were highly controversial but helped establish new standards for contemporary art.